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Syrian Army Shows Growing Signs of Strain

(Washington Institute for Near East Policy) Jeffrey White - The demonstrations in Syria are widespread, persistent, and growing in size, forcing the regime to conduct a "360 degree defense." No area of the country seems secure except perhaps the Alawi heartland in the northwest. With the important exception of Aleppo - Syria's second-largest city - disturbances have erupted in more than fifty localities. Even in Damascus, recurring demonstrations and security operations have been reported in neighborhoods and suburbs. So far, the Syrian regime has retained the allegiance of its large and formidable internal security apparatus. But the security forces have not been able to permanently secure any area and have had to shuttle personnel from one flashpoint to another, sometimes over considerable distances. The loyalty of the army is increasingly in doubt. As a conscript force in which largely Alawite officers lead largely Sunni soldiers, the army is ill suited for the internal security missions it is now being given. There are signs that army units are increasingly identifying with protestors, especially where security forces are employing violence against unarmed demonstrators. Repression alone is not working for the regime. Damascus does not have a viable political formula for swaying the protestors, much less ending the turmoil.
2011-08-03 00:00:00
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